34 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2008
What’s
Navy steals THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES
in a
NAVY NEWS looks back through its pages to recall some of the
April headlines of past decades...
name?
Army’s thunder
EDINBURGH resonated with the O’clock Gun on a Sunday – but
sound of the famous One O’clock
THE plans for the warrant
then, in a sense, it is only right
offi cers’, senior rates’ and senior
Gun, but the explosive interlude and fitting.
non-commissioned offi cers’ mess
was marked by the Royal Navy
“In 1861, Scotsman Robert
at HMS Excellent have now been
for the fi rst time (or so we are
Wauchope, a captain in the Royal
given the green light after many
told – Ed) in the Gun’s 147-year
Navy, invented the time ball which
designs and various locations.
history.
can still be seen today on top of
The new mess will be built
However on this occasion the
Nelson’s monument on Calton
behind the existing wardroom
gun was not the usual light gun
Hill.
and will consist of three build-
but a one-and-a-half tonne field
“It was designed to give sailors
ings, the main mess with public
gun, fired by a team from HMS
rooms, and two single-living
Caledonia, which was hauled a
on the Firth of Forth a reliable
accommodation blocks.
mile through the city’s streets to
time signal.
WO2 Dai Bainbridge RM
announce the start of the Sport
“But because they couldn’t
wrote to Navy News calling on
Relief mile to its many runners.
always rely on the weather allow-
our readers to help in the naming
Breaking with all manner of tra-
ing them to see the ball, a cannon
of the three blocks.
ditions, the 18-man Naval team,
was fired at the same time – and
He said: “The current mess is
led by PO(PT) Karl Hille, are
a tradition that is now known
called the Edgar Evans building,
also the first to have fired the One
around the world was born.”
named after PO Edgar Evans
O’clock Gun on a Sunday.
Runners could chose to run
who was a member of Scott’s
HMS Caledonia’s commanding
one, three or six miles for Sport ● The fi rst EH101 civil prototype fl ew alongside the fi rst Westland-built prototype from Westland
Antarctic expedition.
officer, Cdr Peter Adams, said: Relief, one of 23 similar events
Helicopter’s Yeovil site on September 30 1988
“As the mess has a number
“We are creating a little bit of taking place across the UK to raise
40 years ago 30 years ago 20 years ago
of fine artefacts, the current history with the firing of a One money for the charity.
committee can see no reason
THE hunt was on for ‘The IN an unfortunate echo of cur- THE name for the Navy’s future
to change the name of the new
Hunt’. Described as the RN rent times, Navy News proudly helicopter was announced with
mess.
equivalent of the Yeti, this leg- announced “Woolly pullies great fanfare – the EH101 was
“At present the naming con-
endary tattoo depicted a Hunt can go ashore”. A relaxation to be called Merlin. However
vention for new accommodation Birthday bash
scene down the back, with of the uniform rules allowed it was not until March 1996
blocks is to use personnel who
horses and hounds in full cry officers and senior ratings to that the first production Merlin
have been awarded the Victoria
and a fox just about to go wear their ‘woolly pullies’ and – the first of 44 ordered by
Cross.
to ground. However, although formal uniform styles ashore. the Royal Navy – rolled off
“To that end it is intended to
many had claimed to see the Junior rates, for whom the the production line at GKN
name the SLA after CPO Israel aboard Belfast
phenomenon – even discussed woolly pully was part of their Westland in Yeovil. And not
Harding and Sgt Norman Finch
in Parliament – but evidence of working rig, were not affected until December 1998 that
RM.” VETERANS and celebrants mingled on board HMS Belfast when
the infamous tattoo had yet to by the changes. The relaxa- the Merlin HM1 was officially
He added: “The names for the the Town-class cruiser, now a floating Naval museum in the heart of
be tracked down. Capt Ronnie tion of rules was intended to welcomed into the Fleet Air
new blocks are not set in concrete London, marked its 70th birthday.
Scutt, the RN’s tattoo expert, lessen the inconveniences Arm when 700M Naval Air
– but soon will be.” An appeal for anyone who shared the same launch date of put an appeal in the paper to encountered by Naval folk in Squadron commissioned at
The Royal Marine requests March 17 1938 drew responses from more than 20 imminent seek this elusive individual. their daily lives. RNAS Culdrose.
that any reader who wishes to septuagenarians.
propose an alternative should “HMS Belfast has had a fascinating history since its launch in
write to him detailing their nomi- 1938,” said Belfast’s director Brad King, “but so have the people
nation and outlining the justifica- who have lived through the past seven decades.
tion. Candidates will be presented “They have seen a world war, the birth of rock’n’roll, England win
to the mess committee for the the world cup and man walk on the moon.
decision-making process. “March 17 was a great opportunity for them to get together on a
Send your suggestions to: ship that was ‘born’ on the same day as them.”
Reunions
WO2 Dai Bainbridge RM, Veterans of the warship’s long and interesting history – from Arctic
WOs, SRs and SNCOs Mess, convoys to D-Day, Korean War and Cold War – also gathered on
HMS Excellent, Whale Island, board for the ship’s anniversary celebrations.
Portsmouth, PO2 8ER before Now a branch of the Imperial War Museum, HMS Belfast has been
HMS Ganges 1959-60, Grenville 19 Bournemouth, June 13-15. Details from 01480 393228.
June 30. preserved to record her long decades of Naval service.
Mess, 301 Class: Seeking all members for 50 Peter Lee-Hale at Pleehale@aol.com or tel: HMS Crane U23/F123 (1943-62)
year reunion. Please contact B G Barnham, 01249 811405. Association: Reunion and AGM at the
48 Colchester Road, Bures, Suffolk, CO8 HMS Manchester Association: The Nottingham Gateway Hotel on September
5AE or tel: 01787 228417. seventh reunion of the Second HMS 26-28. All enquiries to Joe Smith at crane.
MAY 2008
Manchester Association will take place in bird@tiscali.co.uk or Tony Nuttall on 0115
HMS Illustrious Association: AGM/
the WO SR & SNCOs Mess, HMS Nelson on 952 6363.
reunion at the Royal Maritime Club,
June 21 at 1900. For details contact Steve HMS Ocean: 21st reunion and dinner
Portsmouth, May 2-4. Contact Alf Garton on
Swaine on 07855 628255 or Ian Tidbury at at the Savoy Hotel, Bournemouth, on
01395 266577.
iantids@ntlworld.com or visit our website for September 26-28. For more details contact
HMS Victorious 1941-45 Association:
more details: www.2ndhmsmanchesterasso W Entwistle on 01282 433910.
Reunion service at St Bartholomew Church,
c.org.uk or tel: 07710 282633.
OCTOBER 2008
Yeovilton on May 11 at 1030 followed by
HMS Kale 1942-46: The 11th reunion will
Nore Command RNPTIs Association:
Lunch. Contact Frank Short on 01981
take place on June 24-26 at Southdene Hotel,
Annual luncheon will be held in the King
540585.
Bridlington. Old and new hands welcome.
Charles Hotel, Gillingham, Kent on October
HMS Whitesand Bay Association:
Enquiries to RS Clay, 31 Cuckmere Way,
5, 1200 for 1300. Open to all. Contact
Shipmates from all commissions are
Brighton, BN1 8GA or tel: 01273 552076.
Orlando Jemmett on 01227 263691.
welcome to our next reunion (20th) which JULY 2008 HMS Daring 1952-54 Association:
will be held at the Royal Maritime Club, HMS Lincoln: 1968-69 commission 6th Reunion to be held at the Holme Lacy Hotel,
Portsmouth on May 13. For more details reunion at Burford in the Cotswolds, July Hereford, October 10-13. Details from Owen
contact Geoff Nightingale, 268 Galley Hill, 19-20. Any member of the ship’s company Simpson at owen553@btinternet.com or tel:
Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 3LD or tel: of this commission is welcome to join us. for 01453 860564.
01442 263405. further details contact Mike ‘Yorky’ Sutcliff HMS St Vincent Association: The 12th
HMS Ambuscade Association: Mini on hmslincoln@yahoo.co.uk or phone
AGM will take place on October 11 at St
reunion to be held at Portsmouth on May 01282 618751.
Vincent College, Gosport, starting at 1100,
17. The event is open to all ex-Ambuscade’s
followed by lunch. Members will be able to
from all commissions. For details contact
SEPTEMBER 2008
visit the museum. The reunion dinner will be
Mark Brocklehurst at mark@sharplesgroup.
HMS Orion Association: Reunion
held on the same day at Thorngate Halls,
com or tel: 01925 839592 (working hours) or
September 5-6 at the Royal Fleet Club,
Gosport starting at 1830. For more details
visit the website at http://www.ambuscade.
Devonport. For details contact Kay West,
contact Mrs Diane Smith on 023 9258 4498.
org
secretary, at kay.west@tiscali.co.uk, tel,
For membership enquiries contact Geoff
0116 259 2171 or write to 28 Stretton Road,
Rose on 01329 668596 or see the website at
JUNE 2008 Great Glen, Leicester, LE8 9GN.
http://www.hmsstvincentassoc.org
HMS Bigbury Bay Association: There 846 Squadron (1962-64): The fi rst
HMS Ulster 1958-60 Commission:
will be a special church service for all those ‘Junglies’ commission of the squadron
The 50th and fi nal reunion will take place
who have served onboard HMS Bigbury – 45th anniversary reunion, September 6 at
on October 24-27 at the Kistor hotel
Bay at the church of St Lawrence, Bigbury, BW-Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton, Devon. Closing
in Torquay, Devon. Details of cost and
Devon, at 1100 June 1. The ship’s bell, which date for bookings August 1. Contact Barry
the weekend package can be obtained
is housed in the church, will be rung by the ‘Baz’ Marshall at bjmarshall@littlebridge.
from Reg Ralph at reginald.ralph@
ex chairman of the Bigbury Bay Association, eclipse.co.uk or tel: 01288 381002.
btinternet.com tel: 01323 725978 or write
Roy Ashton, at the start of the service. Drinks HMS Fisgard, Series 34, September
to 20 Penhale Road, Eastbourne, East
in the Royal Oak, Bigbury after the service. 1958: Calling all ex-Artifi cer Apprentices of
Sussex, BN22 7JX or Norrie Millen at
Contact the secretary David Ditcher at 17 Series 34. A reunion to celebrate 50 years
norriem88@hotmail.com or tel 07779
Alison Crescent, Whitfi eld, Kent, CT16 3LN since joining HMS Fisgard will take place at
909691. Details also on website at www.
or tel: 01304 827109. the Quality Hotel in Plymouth on September
candoo.com/ulsternorrie/ulster/ulster12.
Indefatigable Old Boys: Annual reunion 12-13. It is also being combined with the
html
and dinner will take place at the Carreg Bran annual “Green and White” dinner/dance
HMS Bruce Association: The AGM/
Hotel, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey (01248 714224) of the Fisgard Association at the New
reunion will be taking place on October 27-
next to the old school on June 7. For more Continental Hotel, Plymouth. Full details
30 at the Ambassador Hotel, Scarborough.
details contact Howard Trillo by email at from ex-ERA ‘Bodger’ Bowden at the.
Further information can be obtained from the
howardtrillo@yahoo.co.uk or Tom Keyes bodger@virgin.net or tel: 01271 329095
Secretary D T Heath on 0121 532 4058.
at tom.keyes@tiscali.co.uk or tel: 07912 or from ex-REA Richard Owen at rao13@
693655. hotmail.co.uk. Details also on the website at
NOVEMBER 2009
RN, RM, Wrens & QARRNS: The 2008 http://www.series34.info
847 NAS HMS Simbang 1969-71: A
West Australia reunion of these ex-service 17th Destroyer Flotilla Association:
reunion is being planned for 847 NAS HMS
personnel will be held at the Rockingham Reunion at the Royal Maritime Club,
Simbang, Singapore, 1969-71. The reunion
Navy Club, Point Peron Road, Rockingham, Portsmouth on September 17. Contact Mary
is open to all who served in on this squadron
Western Australia on June 7 from 1130 to Smith, 5 Ockment Court, Okehampton,
for these dates. The reunion will take place
1600 hours. Enjoy ‘Up Spirits’, lunch and Devon, EX20 1SR or tel: 01837 54758.
on November 20-22, 2009 at the Royal Court
afternoon tea all inclusive for AUS$25 per HMS Amethyst: Reunion in Coventry on
Hotel, Keresley, Coventry. More information
person. Cash bar and tea or coffee available September 19-21. Contact Eric Mustoe at
from Cliff Jones on 01772 768104 or 01772
all day. Spouses, partners and friends eric.mustoe@btinternet.com or tel: 0121
855846.
welcome. Meet an oppo and indulge in some 3784618. JANUARY 2010
lamp swinging with old shipmates. Contact HMS Repulse Reunion Association: HMS Fisgard 1964/HMS Caledonia S50
Peter Barsch at pkbarsch@bigpond.net.au Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the fi rst Artifi cer Apprentices: Kendal, Cumbria
or write to 43 Baskerville Crescent, Baldivis, commission at the Lisdoonie Hotel, Barrow from January 15-17, 2010. Contact Clive
Western Australia, 6171, Australia. in Furness on September 26-27. Open to all ‘Hoss’ Horsley, 18 Almond Walk, Barrow-in-
HMS Concord Association: 14th annual ‘Repulsives’. For more information contact Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0RJ or tel: 01229
reunion at the Bay View Court Hotel, Frank Scutt at fescutt@hotmail.com or tel: 825212.
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